Drill sorting machine



June 4, 1957 c. E. COLLING ETAL 2,794,551

DRILL SORTING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l M/NNWAWNWA CHARLES E. COLL/N6 8 JAMES S BURNEY INVENTORS AGENT June 4, 1957 c, COLLING ET AL 2,794,551

DRILL SORTING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

CHARLES E COLL/N6 8 JAMES S. BURNEY IN V EN TORS B? Va/1P AGENT J 7 c. E. COLLING ETAL 2,794,551

DRILL SORTING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1954 4 She'ets-Sheet 3 CHARLES E. COLL/N6 8 JAMES 5. EUHNEY INVENTORS June 4, 1957 c. E. COLLING ETAL 2,794,551

DRILL SORTING MACHINE Filed March 29, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 as f I L. 93 FIG. 7

9o 94 5 FIG. 6

y no? FIG. 9 I26 M :05 r 5 I24 103"? 1 CHARLES E. COLL/H6 .2 JAMES s. sue/v5) INVENTORS nov. BY 7 LINE AGE/V7 United States Patent 6 DRILL SORTING MACHINE Charles E. Coiling, El Cajon, and James Samuel Burney, Ocean Beach, Calif.

Application March 29, 1954, Serial No. 419,148

Claims. (Cl. 209-99) The present invention relates generally to a drill sorting machine and is more particularly concerned with a machine for sorting drills or other rod-like items wherein such items may have been previously comingled as to the various sizes thereof.

Heretofore, it has been the common practice to employ the services of individuals to manually size and sort various cylindrical items such as drills or the like, these items often being relatively close to each other as far as the diameters are concerned as to require such sizing and subsequent disposition in boxes, bins or the like. Such manual sorting of drills or other rod-like items entails considerable time, thus making such an operation very expensive, and often prohibitive when considered in the light of the original cost and/of the replacement cost of such drills.

it is accordingly an important object of the present invention to provide a novel drill sorting machine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel drill sorting machine having a novel means for efiecting sizing and segregation of such drills.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel drill sorting machine incorporating a novel means for transporting various sizes of drills or the like along an inclined plane, a novel means for sizing such drills as they are transported along the inclined plane, and a novel means for segregating such sized drills.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel drill sorting machine that is eflicient in operation, economical in manufacture and reliable in use.

Stillanother important object of the invention is to provide a drill sorting machine having safety features so as to interrupt the operation of the machine in the event of possible malfunctioning thereof.

Other and further important objects of the present invention will become apparent from the disclosures of the following detailed specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of the drill sorting machine of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an inclined side elevational view of the drill sorting device, as taken substantially as indicated by line 22, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing portions of the inclined plane utilized with the present invention, portions of the conveyor and means for driving the conveyor as taken substantially as indicated by line 33, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a portion of the driving means and slip clutch rrneans utilized with the present invention, as taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing one of the motor interrupting safety features of the present invention, as taken substantially as indicated by line 55, Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of the segregating chutes utilized with the present invention l atented June 4, 1957 and as taken substantially as indicated by line 66, Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the segregating chutes :as taken substantially as indicated by line 77, Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a rearward view of the backing plate structure of the present invention showing the wedge-shape opening therein as taken substantially :as indicated by line 88, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing the wiring diagram for the present drill sorting machine.

With reference to the drawings wherein like parts are indicated by like reference characters, the drill sorting machine of the present invention is shown as indicated generally at 10. From a general standpoint, the device includes a frame structure 11, an inclined plane arrangement 12, a conveyor system 13, a driving means 14 for the conveyor system 13, and a backing plate structure 15 which, in cooperation with other portions of the device as will be hereinafter more fully described, defines an elongated wedge-shape opening 16, Fig. 8.

As shown primarily in Figs. 1 and 2, the frame structure 11 includes a plurality of legs 17 that are adapted to be positioned on a horizontal surface 18. The upper portion of the legs 17 are interconnected as by cross members 20, there being elongated front and rear interconnecting members 21 and braces 22. As shown, the frame structure 11 may be made up primarily from angle members in order that sufiicient rigidity may be established for the machine.

The inclined plane structure 12 and backing plate structure 15 are operably connected to end plates 23 and 24, Fig. 2. The end plate 23 is fixed to an angle member 25, which is in turn connected to a hinge point 26 which is mounted on the frame structure 11. A turnbuckle arrangement 30 connected to end rods 31 and 32 serve to support the inclined plane and backing structure in an adjustable manner relative to the angular rotation about the hinge point 25. The portion 31 of the turnbuckle arrangement 30 is secured as at 33 to the rearward portion of the frame structure 11 with the portion 32 of the turnbuckle arrangement being secured as at 34 to the rearward surface of the plate 23.

The inclined plane structure 12 comprises an angle member 35 that has the end portions thereof secured to the plates 23 and 24, respectively. A surface 36 of the inclined plane structure 12 is thereby disposed at an angle to a horizontal plane and further at an angle to an imaginary plane that is disposed normal to such a horizontal plane. In other words, the surface 36 has a sloping condition toward the plate 23 and further slopes rearwardly toward the plates 23 and 24.

As shown primarily in Figs. 2 and 3, the conveyor structure 13 comprises an endless chain support and drive member 37 that is supported for rotation about sprockets 38 and 39 which are mounted on shafts 40 and 41, respectively, which are in turn secured to the back plate 23. A driving sprocket 42 mounted on a shaft 43, which extends through the back plate 24, supports another end of the chain 37. A plurality of substantially V-shaped drill engaging members are secured to the chain 37 at intervals there along in a manner shown primarily in Fig. 2. The drill engaging members 44 are preferably secured as by one end, that is the end adjacent the rearward portion of the inclined plane 35, to the chain 37 as by welding or the like, with portions extending outwardly from the sides of the chain 37 and overlying the surface 36 of the incline plane 35. In this connection, the construction is such that the drill engaging members 44 may pivot slightly by actual slight deformation of the chain 37 so as to eliminate a rigid condition intermediate the chains and the drill engaging members in a manner and for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described.

With reference primarily to Figs. 3 and 4, the driving means 14 for the chain '37 and the drill engaging members 44 comprises a motor 45, Fig. 2, that has a shaft 46 on which a pulley 47 is mounted. The pulley 47 is adapted to drive a' belt 48 which also serves to drive a larger pulley 50. The motor 45 is mounted as by supports 51 to a motor support member 52 so as to provide some flexibility in thi mounting. The pulley 50 is mounted on a shaft '53 which is journalled in a suitable bearing 54 and extends into the gear box 55. The inner end of'the shaft 53 is provided with a worm gear 56 that is adapted to drive a. mating gear 57 that is journalled on the shaft 43. The outer end of the'shaft 43 is provided with an enlarged flange portion 58 to which a driving member 60 is attached as by a screw 61. The gear 57 is disposed on the shaft 43 intermediate the flange 58 and a spacer 62, the latter being secured to the backing plate 24 permitting free rotation of the shaft 43 therein. A radially extending bore 63 is formed in'the outer portion of a hub 64 for the gear 57, there being a ball 65 that is adapted for disposition in the bore 63 and in an opening formed in an inner end of the driving member 60. A leaf spring 66, also mounted on the screw 61, serves to normally urge the ball 65 into the outer end of the bore 63. It may be seen that there is thus provided a slip clutch arrangement for driving the chain 37, in that should the chain 37 be stopped for any reason or should this chain be retarded in its movement due to the binding of a drill or the inadvertent placing of a hand in the mechanism, the gear 57 will continue to be turned by the gear 56; however, the ball 65 may ride upwardly and out from engagement with the bore 63, thereby permitting the shaft 43 and the sprocket 42 to remain in a stopped position. Naturally, this action will stop movement of the conveyor also.

The upper reaches of the chain 37 are supported on a pair of angles 67 and 68 which are in turn mounted on the back plates 23 and 24, respectively. An interconnect ing plate 70 serves to connect the angles 67 and 68 with the chain 37 together with the engaging members 44 being adapted to ride on the interconnecting plate 70 and a centrally disposed block 71 which is connected with the upper surface of the plate 70. The angle 67, together with the balance of the mechanism connected thereto, is supported for rigidity relative to the plate 24 as by an angle brace member 72.

In order to prevent the mechanism' involved in the sprockets 38, 39 and 42 and in connection with the conveyor 13 from being inadvertently entered by foreign material and perhaps the hands of the operator, a shield 73 is disposed about this structure and secured to the angles 67 and 68. A substantially rectangular feed opening 74 in a portion of a shield 73 and positioned adjacent the plate 23, serves as a station for an operator to insert the drills to be sorted.

As shown primarily in Figs. 3 and 8, the rearward portion 75 of the angle inclined plane member 35 cooperates with the surface 36 to provide a corner .76 which cooperates with an elongated plate member 77 in establishing wedge-shaped elongated opening 16. A lower edge 78 of the elongated plate member 77 is disposed slightly outwardly from the rearward surface of the portion 75 of the inclined plane member 35 for a purpose to be hereafter more fully described. An elongated member 79 is secured to the back plates 23 and 24 and the plate member 77 is pivotally supported as at 80, Fig. 8. The elongated member 79 is flexibly supported as by a bolt and nut combination 81 at the end opposite the hinge point 26 thereby permitting angular adjustment of the surface 35 together with the elongated plate member 77 relative to thefrarne 11. The bolt and nut combination 81 is secured to an arm '82 that is rigidly supported to the frame structure as by a vertically extending member 83. The construction is such that the elongated plate member 77 may be rotatably positioned about the pivot point 80 in order that the wedge-shaped opening may be varied slightly for detailed adjustment of the machine. A screw jack 84 having a head portion 85 adapted for engagement with the lower edge 78 of the elongated plate member 77 is threadably supported as by a fixed member 86 and locked in place as by locknut 87 to support the position and retain the set opening for the wedge-shaped opening 16.

The segregating chute arrangement utilized with the present invention is shown primarily in Figs. 1, 6 and 7 and comprises a plurality of variable length chutes 88 which are formed from relatively thin sheet metal and supported on a pair of angles 90 and 91 which are in turn supported on a support member 92 that is secured to the upright member 83. Each of the chutes 88 comprises an upright portion .93 and a base portion 94 that is disposed substantially normal to the upright 93. As

the chutes 88 are positioned adjacent each other the portions 94 thereof are adapted to underly the portions of the chute next adjacent. The portions 94 are provided with dimples 95 in which bolts 96 are adapted to be disposed. The bolts 96 are adapted to extend through a space defined intermediate the angles 90 and 91, there being nuts 97 secured to a threaded end thereof in order to support and retain the chutes 88 in position. Through use of thisconstruction, it may be seen that the spacing of the chutes may be varied by loosening the nuts 96 and sliding the chutes 88 along the angles 90 and 91. Tabs 27 extending upwardly from the upright portion 93 of the chutes 88 are adapted to be bent out of the plane of the upright portion 93 thereby permitting additional space variation of chutes 88 relative to one another. In use, the upper ends 98 of the chutes 88 are adapted to be positioned adjacent the elongated wedge-shaped opening 16 and to receive sized drills that may pass through the opening. Any suitable means such as boxes or other types of receptacles may be placed beneath the lower ends 100 of the chutes 88 in order to receive the sized drills passing therethrough.

In order to initiate operation of the device, a switch 101 may be closed thus connecting leads 102 through a double acting switch 103 and a second double acting switch 104 with the motor, the ground side thereof extending through lead 105. The switches 103 and 104 operate as safety features and are connected with indicating lamps 106 and 107. In order to energize the switches 103 and 104, the switch 103 is mounted on a bracket which is connected to an angle 109 which is in turn supported by the shield 73. An actuating member 110 is pivoted to the bracket 108 as at 111, there being a plate 112 hinged to the angle 109'as at 113, that is adapted for actuation .of the roller arm 110 to move the switch 103 from the contact 114 to the contact 115 causing energization of the indicating lamp 107 through leads 116 and 117. The plate 112.is mounted adjacent the access opening 74 in the shield 73 and is adapted to be hinged and moved about the hinge point 113 as by the hands of the operator and/ or any misaligned material to be sorted that may be placed on the conveyor 13.- When the switch 103 is moved from the contact 114, the power supply to the motor 45 will be interrupted thereby stopping operation of the sorting machine.

As shown primarily in Figs. 3 and 5, the switch 104 is mounted on the lower surface of the angle member 79 as by screws 118 and 120. The position of the switch 104 is adjacent the largest spaced end of the wedgeshaped opening 16, so that any drills or other foreign material that may pass beyond the final chute 88 will engage an operating lever 121 which is hinged as at 122, a button 123, and move the switch 104 from the contact 124 to the contact 125 thereby interrupting the flow of 5 current to the motor 45 and energizing the lamp 106 as by leads 126 and 127.

It will therefore be seen that there are three safety features included in the present sorting machine, these being the switch 103 and its operating mechanism, the switch 104 and the operating mechanism associated therewith, and the slip clutch arrangement intermediate the gear 57 and the shaft 43. Accordingly any tendency for foreign material and/or the hands or arms of the operator to be placed in the machine will either interrupt the flow of current to the motor 45 and/ or physically stop the movement of the conveyor 13.

In operation and actual use of the sorting machine of the present invention, an operator places individual drills to be sorted on the surface 36 of the inclined plane 35 and intermediate the drill engaging members 44 being moved along the inclined plane by the chain 37. The specific shape of the drill engaging members 44 serves to move the drills to be sorted along the surface 36 and eliminates any tendency for binding between the drills and the members 44. Inasmuch as the inclined plane 35 and the surface 36 is inclined toward the rearward portion of the machine, the drills to be sorted tend to move toward the opening 16 and will pass through this opening wherein the opening equals the diameter of the drill to be sorted. Thereafter, the drills will drop into the chutes 88 and into suitable receptacles.

The spacing of the edge 78 of the elongated plate member 77 and the corner 76 of the inclined plane 35 permits the drills being sorted to be tipped slightly as they pass through the opening 16 and into the chutes 88. This tipping action provides for immediate release of the drill so as not to dispose such a drill in a wrong chute. It may be seen that this tipping action will raise the outer end of the drill above the lower edges of the V-shaped drill engaging members, thereby freeing this edge and stopping movement of the drill along the surface of the inclined plane.

Having thus described the invention and the present embodiment thereof, it is desired to emphasize the fact that many modifications may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A sorting device for drills or the like rod-like items comprising: a frame; an inclined plane disposed on said frame; an endless conveyor for transporting said items along said plane, said inclined plane being disposed at an angle to a horizontal plane further inclined toward said frame; item-engaging members connected with said conveyor; means for moving said conveyor and said engaging members along said inclined plane; a backing structure; an elongated wedge-like opening in said backing structure and extending along one side edge of said inclined plane, said items being adapted to slide from said inclined plane and to enter said opening at positions along said opening in accordance with the diameter of said items; a plurality of items segregating chutes positioned adjacent said opening, whereby to receive said items delivered through said opening; means cooperable with said moving means for permitting stoppage of said conveyor without interrupting said means for moving said conveyor; and further means carried by said frame and engageable by items carried by said conveyor for interrupting said means for moving said conveyor.

2. A sorting device for drills or the like rod-like items comprising: a frame; an inclined plane disposed on said frame; an endless conveyor for transporting said items along said plane, said inclined plane being disposed at an angle to a horizontal plane further inclined toward said frame; item engaging members connected with said conveyor; means for moving said conveyor and said engaging members along said inclined plane; an adjustable backing structure secured to said frame; an elongated wedge-like opening in said backing structure and extending along one side edge of said inclined plane, said items being adapted to slide from said inclined plane and to enter said opening at positions along said opening in accordance with the diameter of said items; a plurality of item segregating chutes positioned adjacent said opening, whereby to receive said items delivered through said opening; means cooperable with said moving means for permitting stoppage'of said conveyor without interrupting said means for moving said conveyor; and further means carried by said frame and engageable by items carried by said conveyor for interrupting said means for moving said conveyor.

3. A sorting device for drills or the like comprising, in combination: a frame structure; an inclined plane member adjustably mounted on said frame structure; an endless chain conveyor for transporting said drills along a surface of said plane, said inclined plane being disposed at an angle to a horizontal plane further inclined toward said frame; inverted V-shaped drill engaging members connected with said conveyor; motor means for driving said conveyor along one surface of said inclined plane member; slip clutch means connected between said motor means and said conveyor; an adjustable backing structure connected to said inclined plane member; an elongated Wedge-like opening in said backing structure and extending along a line coextensive with the angularly disposed surface of said inclined plane member, said drills being adapted to slide from said surface and through said opening at predetermined positions along said surface in accordance with the diameter of said drills; and a plurality of drill segregating chutes positioned adjacent said opening, whereby to receive said drills after passage thereof through said opening.

4. A sorting device for drills or the like comprising, in combination: a frame structure; an inclined plane member adjustably mounted on said frame structure; an end less chain conveyor for transporting said drills along a surface of said plane, said inclined plane being disposed at an angle to a horizontal plane further inclined toward said frame; inverted V-shaped drill engaging members connected with said conveyor; motor means for driving said conveyor along one surface of said inclined plane member; slip clutch means connected between said motor means and said conveyor; an adjustable backing structure connected to said inclined plane member; an elongated Wedge-like opening in said backing structure and extending along a line coextensive with the angularly disposed surface of said inclined plane member, said drills being adapted to slide from said surface and through said opening at predetermined positions along said surface in accordance with the diameter of said drills; a plurality of drill segregating chutes positioned adjacent said opening, whereby to receive said drills after passage thereof through said opening; and dual switch safety means carried by said frame and engageable by items carried by said conveyor for interrupting operation of said motor means.

5. A sorting device for drills or the like comprising, in combination: a frame structure; an inclined plane member adjustably mounted on said frame structure; an endless chain conveyor for transporting said drills along a surface of said plane, said inclined plane being disposed at an angle to a horizontal plane further inclined toward said frame, inverted V-shaped drill engaging members connected with said conveyor; motor means for driving said conveyor along one surface of said inclined plane member; slip clutch means connected between said motor means and said conveyor; an adjustable backing structure connected to said inclined plane member; an elongated wedge-like opening in said backing structure and extending along a line coextensive with the angularly disposed surface of said inclined plane member, said opening being adjustable as to the widths thereof, said drills being adapted to slide from said surface and through said opening at predetermined positions along said surface in accordance with the diameter of said drills; a plurality of drill segregating chutes positioned adjacent said opening, whereby to receive said drills after passage thereof through said opening; and dual switch safety means carried by said frame and engageable by items carried by said conveyor for interrupting operation of said motor means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,245,584 Hallock Nov. 6, 1917 Linderman Feb. 28, 1888 10 France Apr. 19, 1948 

